High points of dunk contest

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February 8, 2014
: Updated: February 10, 2014 11:28am

Paul George of the Indiana Pacers jumps over pacers teammates Roy Hibbert and Dahntay Jones as he dunks during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest part of 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend at Amway Center on February 25, 2012 in Orlando, Florida.

Photo By NBA Photos/NBAE/Getty Images

DENVER - JANUARY 27: Julius "Dr. J" Erving #32 of the ABA New Jersey Nets goes for a dunk from the free throw line during the inaugural Slam Dunk Contest during halftime at the 9th ABA All-Star Game on January 27, 1976 at McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1976 NBAE (Photo by NBAE via Getty Images)

Photo By Getty Images file photo

At 5-foot-7, Spud Webb electrified a crowd in Dallas in 1986. The Dallas native beat his more heralded Hawks teammate, Dominique Wilkins.

Photo By Bob Galbraith / Associated Press

In a competition many remember fondly, Vince Carter turned the 2000 slam dunk contest — his first and only — into a personal showcase.

Photo By Dave Martin / Associated Press

Jason Richardson was a back-to-back slam dunk champion (2002-03) and might be the most underrated high flyer the NBA has ever seen.

More Information

1. Julius Erving, 1976, Denver — foul-line takeoff (ABA): This was literally the stuff of legend, the dunk that was the driving force behind the NBA's adoption of All-Star Saturday. It was witnessed only by the 17,000-plus in attendance at McNichols Arena and a relatively minuscule TV audience. No one had ever seen anything like it, and it played a role in four ABA franchises, including the Spurs, eventually joining the NBA. For that, it gets the top spot.

2. Spud Webb, 1986, Dallas — bounce pass reverse: At 5-foot-7, Webb actually had the advantage over his much taller competitors because each of his dunks looked that much more amazing. Additionally, nobody had seen this kind of dunk before Webb pulled it off in a memorable victory over Hawks teammate Wilkins. Each of Webb's dunks in this contest was unreal, but this was his best.

3. Vince Carter, 2000, Oakland — 360-degree windmill: An overwhelming favorite in his first appearance in the dunk contest, Carter knew he had to open with something spectacular and didn't disappoint. Approaching from the left side, he completed a 360 spin as he soared past the rim before windmilling the ball through the hoop with his right hand. Though he made three more amazing dunks, the competition was over the moment he completed this monster.

4. Jason Richardson, 2003, Atlanta — lob and between the legs reverse: This may be the most overlooked dunk in the history of the contest because even Jordan, a nonparticipant eyewitness, was mightily impressed. Catching his lob off the floor with his right hand at the apex of his flight, Richardson switched the ball between his legs to his left for a reverse semi-windmill jam.

5. Michael Jordan, 1988, Chicago — foul-line takeoff, double pump: Jordan was pressed by Wilkins right to the finish in one of the best dunk contests ever. “His Airness” saved this one for last, with a spectacular mid-air pose (captured perfectly by great Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss Jr.) to win the contest on his home court.

After all, Jordan authored one of the greatest dunks ever seen — a foul-line takeoff, double-pump, cradling the ball next to his ear before soaring in for a throwdown. Still, there were plenty who believed Wilkins had matched Jordan with his collection of Human Highlight Film power jams, including a two-handed windmill he pioneered.

Express-News staff writer Mike Monroe, who covered his first pro basketball game in 1969 and witnessed the first dunk contest at the 1976 ABA All-Star Game, presents his top five contest dunks:

1. Julius Erving, 1976, Denver — foul-line takeoff (ABA): This was literally the stuff of legend, the dunk that was the driving force behind the NBA's adoption of All-Star Saturday. It was witnessed only by the 17,000-plus in attendance at McNichols Arena and a relatively minuscule TV audience. No one had ever seen anything like it, and it played a role in four ABA franchises, including the Spurs, eventually joining the NBA. For that, it gets the top spot.

2. Spud Webb, 1986, Dallas — bounce pass reverse: At 5-foot-7, Webb actually had the advantage over his much taller competitors because each of his dunks looked that much more amazing. Additionally, nobody had seen this kind of dunk before Webb pulled it off in a memorable victory over Hawks teammate Wilkins. Each of Webb's dunks in this contest was unreal, but this was his best.

3. Vince Carter, 2000, Oakland — 360-degree windmill: An overwhelming favorite in his first appearance in the dunk contest, Carter knew he had to open with something spectacular and didn't disappoint. Approaching from the left side, he completed a 360 spin as he soared past the rim before windmilling the ball through the hoop with his right hand. Though he made three more amazing dunks, the competition was over the moment he completed this monster.

4. Jason Richardson, 2003, Atlanta — lob and between the legs reverse: This may be the most overlooked dunk in the history of the contest because even Jordan, a nonparticipant eyewitness, was mightily impressed. Catching his lob off the floor with his right hand at the apex of his flight, Richardson switched the ball between his legs to his left for a reverse semi-windmill jam.

5. Michael Jordan, 1988, Chicago — foul-line takeoff, double pump: Jordan was pressed by Wilkins right to the finish in one of the best dunk contests ever. "His Airness" saved this one for last, with a spectacular mid-air pose (captured perfectly by great Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss Jr.) to win the contest on his home court.